RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- An intense heat wave will continue through the Fourth of July weekend and into early next week. Highs will be around 100 degrees, with feels-like temperatures as high as 110 degrees or higher. Daily record high temperatures may also be challenged or even broken.
The combination of intense sunshine and prolonged heat will create dangerous conditions for anyone spending extended periods outdoors. And as the temperatures soar outside, people across Central North Carolina do what they can to stay cool, especially when they have to head out.
A Durham homeowner said it feels like the heat has intensified in the state, "I grew up in North Carolina, but I don't remember waves being quite this intense."
To compound the misery, ABC11's Forecast Team says there will be little overnight relief, with temperatures only falling into the mid-70s throughout the heat wave, and the air quality is deteriorating.
Basically, right now, Central NC is a hot, muggy, sweltering, poor-air-quality mess. And it's expected to last into early next week.
Emergency departments treated 21 heat-related illnesses between July 3 and July 4 as dangerous temperatures gripped central North Carolina.
Health officials are continuing to urge residents to stay hydrated and taking breaks from the heat.
A Heat Advisory runs from Noon to 8. p.m. We also have a Level 1 Risk for a few isolated strong storms Sunday evening, mainly from the Triangle westward.
Saturday, the temperature topped out at 103 at RDU, making it the hottest Fourth of July we've ever recorded.
Sunday won't be quite that extreme; however, we could still see a triple-digit temperature of 100 with a feels-like of 105 degrees.
First Alert Days continue on Sunday. Heat Advisories are in effect for most of Central NC as feels-like temps could go up to 107.
Sunday will start off with temps in the 70s. Afternoon temps will be around 100 degrees with feels-like temps as high as 107.
A few showers and storms may develop Sunday afternoon and evening, but will favor areas west of Raleigh. Better chances for daily showers/storms will increase starting Monday and continue through much of next week.
RDU broke a record on the 4th, hitting 103. Fayetteville also broke their record hitting 100.
Firefighters in Cary spent part of the Fourth of July battling a house fire while also dealing with extreme heat conditions.
Crews were called to a home on Oakmere Drive, near Chatham Street and Old Apex Road, just before 6 p.m. Officials said the fire started while a family was cooking on a back deck.
No injuries were reported.
Cary Fire Chief Mike Thompson said the incident serves as a reminder for people to be extra cautious when cooking outdoors, especially during the ongoing heat wave.
"We know what started on the back deck. They were cooking on the back deck," Thompson said. "It's the holiday. Everybody's trying to enjoy the Fourth of July. It's just a reminder to make sure that we're monitoring anytime we're cooking outside, to make sure it's all contained and that you keep a close eye on it because everything is very dry."
Thompson said the extreme temperatures also created additional challenges for firefighters. Because of the heat, additional crews were brought in so firefighters could rotate out of the fire scene and take breaks in air-conditioned vehicles.
Officials are reminding residents to closely monitor grills and other outdoor cooking equipment as hot, dry conditions continue across central North Carolina.
